as a (video) photographer who has done freelance on a professional basis (as opposed to the alternate dimension asshole basis this photographer seems to be working on) I'll echo everyone else and tell you she's full of crap. No signed contract = no cancellation fee. Period. Your email should be short and sweet.
Dear Photog: There was no contract. There was no agreement for your services. I do not owe you any money. Further contact from you will be considered harassment and will be dealt with accordingly. Regards, etc etc
There is no verbal agreement here. You said you would probably use her. Probably. That she decided that meant you would definitely use her is her problem, not yours. It is certainly a move that a *professional* photographer would never make.
So 1) If she's been doing this 28 years I'll eat my camera.
2) If she really HAS been doing this 28 years then she's one of the biggest idiots in the business.
3) I'm guessing that she's been doing this a few years and has discovered that some hapless fools will actually give her $300 to go away when she pulls this crap. Kudos to you for not falling into this little trap.
4) Tell EVERY SINGLE person you can find who's getting married NOT to approach this fool. Freelance photogs don't need idiots like her mucking up the industry's reputation.
Last edited by shakran; 09-20-2006 at 09:45 PM..
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